ABOUT US | Janaagraha

Who we are?

Janaagraha is a not-for-profit institution started in December 2001 by two founders - Ramesh and Swati Ramanathan. From a movement to include people's participation in public governance it has now evolved into a robust institution for Citizenship and Democracy. It now has an eminent governing board and an active Working Council that makes operational decisions for the organisation. Of the thirteen programmes in Janaagraha four have advisory groups with members that are highly accomplished working professionals. Besides our staff of fourteen, we are supported by the energy of at least 200 volunteers at any given point in time.

What we do?

Janaagraha works on issues related to public governance in Urban India. Our mission is to change the trajectory of our country.

We believe that India's democratic challenges need systemic changes and not band-aid solutions. The energy for change can come from both inside government as well as outside of it and requires constructive engagement from both sides. We are responsible partners to such engagement whenever the opportunities arise.

We also believe that democracy is more than the occasional trip to the ballot box, and citizen particpation - especially at the local level - is at the heart of a successful democracy. Participation in the decision-making process is not just a means for greater accountability from government, but fosters a society based on values that celebrate individual achievement while looking after collective advancement. We are rigorous in defining and developing the science of such participation.

Our power is our ideals and our innovations and we continue to practice on the ground and learn and improve upon these. We constantly reach out to diverse groups in our search to find common ground, without compromising on ideals, goals or integrity.

Core Values

Positivity: To believe that real change is possible, if everyone did his or her bit.

Belief in the power of the Community: To recognize that the central means of all action is a collective one. From an inclusive community comes collective strength, but also the building of long-term bonds that will shape our society."

Constructive Engagement: To engage (with individuals, communities and organizations) in the spirit of partnership and give the benefit of doubt until proven otherwise.

Professionalism: To deliver on individual roles and responsibilities at the highest degree of commitment and capability at all times.

Moral Compass: To consistently be guided in all actions by the principle of moral truth and be concerned with not just the ends but the means as well.

Compassion: To empathise with and support those in real need and carry out one's responsibilities in building a caring and just society.

Core Purpose

To improve the quality of life for all, by improving the quality of public governance.

Vision

To fundamentally transform the trajectory of our country, in 20 years.

Vivid Description

Twenty years from now, India will be best known for the quality of life it offers to its citizens. And this will be accomplished through the practice of democracy that is based on personal freedom, collective action and transparency. A democracy, that provides every citizen with a direct voice and an active role in public governance, leading to an abundance of public and private wealth.

This vision for India would be achieved by developing participatory structures of public governance, by evolving a sense of shared ownership of the environment and the community's destiny and by establishing practices of engagement that ensure broad participation in public governance, of the entire citizenry.

India would provide to the world a model of democracy that brings individual ambition and common cause into harmony, and helps unleash the creativity of millions of Indians in ways that generate the greatest rewards for the society as a whole. By 2025, no Indian would have reason to feel disenfranchised and in fact would have every chance to fulfill his/her personal potential while making the greatest possible contribution to the society.

Goals

GOALS FOR JANAAGRAHA
MEDIUM-TERM GOALS (2-5 Years)	Ensure the passage of laws for institutionalizing citizen participation and Disclosure in Urban Areas in at least 3 states in the country, including Karnataka. Create a critical mass of urban governance change in Bangalore Successfully integrate the Urban Poor into local governance discussions.
LONG-TERM GOALS (5 YEARS AND BEYOND)	Contribute significantly to public governance reforms in the country, with focus on urban governance reforms. Establish JCCD as a world class organization. Support citizen leaders and partner institutions across the country to carry forward the ideas that Janaagraha stands for.

GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE

Janaagraha’s governance structure design is indicated in the diagram and is as follows:

JCCD Governing Board: JCCD’s Governing Board members are a small but remarkable group of institution-builders with deep knowledge about building strong governance structures, open decision-making processes, and solid management systems.

The governing board meets four times a year with the executive leadership of JCCD, to review the plans and progress of various programmes and activities, ensuring that these are not only meeting milestones and outcomes, but are in keeping with the larger vision and mission of Janaagraha.

Governing Board Members

Anu Agha, Executive Director, Thermax (retd.)
Aloysius Fernandez, Executive Director, Myrada
L.C.Jain, Indian ambassador to SA
Dr. G.K.Jayaram, Founder, Institution for Leadership and Institution Development (ILID)
Madhu Kishwar, Founder, Manushi
Dr. R.A.Mashelkar, Ex Director General of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
V. Ramachandran, Secy (retd.), Govt.of India, Member of Administrative Reforms Commission
Ramesh Ramanathan, Founder, Janaagraha, National Technical Advisor for JN-NURM
Swati Ramanathan, Founder, Janaagraha

JCCD Working Council: at the operational level, a Working Council has been established to evaluate the progress of different programmes and discuss operational issues that need collective resolution. This working council is made up of the coordinators of each programme and meets every month.

In addition, each programme coordinator has established an Advisory Group of five to fifteen members that have specific skills and expertise specific, to the programme. Coordinators hold regular reviews with their advisory groups.

JCCD Advisory Group: the Working Council has ongoing access to a Janaagraha Advisory Group of subject matter experts and opinion leaders from various fields. Once a year, the Working Council holds an introspection session with the Janaagraha Advisory Group.